A new Dublin city centre hub and an AI accelerator delivered by Dogpatch Labs are among the first initiatives under the new cross-government programme.
It had been signposted for some time, and got a mention in the Budget 2027 speeches, but Enterprise Ireland today (13 October) announced the official launch of Startup Ireland, a new national cross-government initiative that aims to smooth the way for founders to “start, scale and succeed” from Ireland.
The launch saw the publication of the Startup Ireland Roadmap, laying out the vision and programme of delivery, and included the announcement of the first major Startup Ireland initiatives, including a new Dublin city centre-based National Startup Hub and the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator.
Ultimately, Startup Ireland aims to support the creation of 1,000 new start-ups and increase the number of start-ups reaching €1m in turnover by 20pc, while ensuring 35pc of supported start-ups are women-led.
Led by Enterprise Ireland, the cross-government initiative will bring together Government, agencies, investors, universities, industry and the wider start-up community, with the aim of creating a “founder-first” start-up ecosystem that offers a “more coordinated and nationally integrated support system, with clear pathways to funding, mentorship, specialist expertise and access to international opportunities”.
“Startup Ireland is a landmark initiative and a vitally important step in strengthening Ireland’s future economy, creating a more connected and easier-to-navigate start-up system,” said Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD at the launch. “This initiative will bring greater coordination across the start-up ecosystem and ensure that founders are at the centre of how supports are designed and delivered.”
National Startup Hub
The new National Startup Hub will be co-located with Enterprise Ireland’s planned new Dublin city centre headquarters.
The hub aims to connect Ireland’s start-up and innovation ecosystem both nationally and internationally, by providing a flagship venue where founders, investors, multinationals, researchers and others can gather, and will allow for a programme of showcase events, peer-learning and networking, and access to specialist expertise. It will also be a landing place for international entrepreneurs looking to start up in Ireland.
Startup Ireland AI Accelerator
The first specialist programme announced is the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator, which will be delivered by Dogpatch Labs. It will bring together more than 30 partners, including investors and stakeholders as well as companies including Analog Devices, Anthropic, AWS, Crusoe, ElevenLabs, Fin, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Stripe and Vanta. It will include a two-day trip to Paris to connect with investors, customers and AI founders, including attending F/AI Deal Day at Station F.
Selected start-ups will take part in a 12-week programme that offers direct access to technical expertise, customers and investors to help them develop and scale internationally, as well as access to more than €1m in technology and cloud credits.
The programme will see Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland collaborate to connect participating start-ups with multinational companies both in Ireland and internationally, opening up a route to potential customers and commercial partnerships.
Startup Ireland National Accelerator Programme
The Startup Ireland National Accelerator Programme will include a funded National Company Accelerator with a €100,000 investment for participants to accelerate their growth and international scaling. A dedicated Talent Accelerator will support experienced individuals at pre-company and pre-idea stage to validate opportunities, form companies and progress to pre-seed investment.
An expanded regional pre-accelerator and early-stage activities network will encourage more founders to start up, validate ideas and progress towards pre-seed investment. In addition, sectoral and specialist programmes will be developed to support start-ups in high-growth sectors.
Other Startup Ireland initiatives include an AI-enabled digital platform to simplify applications; a dedicated website and Founder Support Service, providing a single point of access to information, events, guidance and relevant supports from across the start-up ecosystem; and a new Startup Ireland Strategic Advisory Forum, which will bring entrepreneurs, investors, Government representatives and ecosystem stakeholders together to inform future policy and programmes.
The Founders’ Exchange programme of events will kick off again in November 2026, connecting entrepreneurs with experienced founders, investors and advisers across Ireland – a series organised in association with Silicon Republic.
The New Frontiers programme has got a refresh and an enhanced stipend, in Enterprise Ireland’s bid to help early-stage founders build their ideas into scalable and investment-ready start-ups.
“Startup Ireland represents a major step change in how we support founders and build the next generation of Irish companies,” said Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
“Start-ups are central to Ireland’s future economic strength, providing the pipeline of companies that will drive exports, innovation, high-value employment and economic growth.”
“Irish indigenous companies are the lifeblood of our economy and will be central to Ireland’s future stability, resilience and growth,” said Conor O’Donovan, head of Startup Ireland at Enterprise Ireland. “Founders have consistently told us that ambition alone is not enough. They need early access to capital, experienced mentors, specialist expertise, and stronger connections to international markets and investors.
“Startup Ireland, which was formally established by Government today, is designed to respond to those needs. Led by Enterprise Ireland, it will make it easier for founders to navigate the system, secure investment, access expert support and build companies that can scale from Ireland and compete internationally.”
The establishment of Startup Ireland was informed by national and international research, and extensive consultation with founders, industry stakeholders and Government partners. That included Enterprise Ireland’s 2025 Founders Listening Tour, which engaged more than 500 entrepreneurs, again run in association with Silicon Republic.
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.